TNA Impact 07/05/12: What Worked and What Didn't

Lewis NolanJul 6, 2012

On the go home show to Destination X, we got another fantastic show with one Bound For Glory series match, a couple of X-Division competition qualifiers and the highly controversial appearance of Ring Of Honor Tag Team Champion Kenny King.

Bound For Glory Table:

James Storm   36 points   (2-0-1)   3 MATCHES
Samoa Joe    27 points   (3-1-0)   4 MATCHES
Jeff Hardy       14 points   (2-0)   2 MATCHES
Magnus            14 points   (2-0)   2 MATCHES
Kurt Angle     10 points   (1-1-0)   2 MATCHES
Mr. Anderson    9 points   (1-2-1)   4 MATCHES
The Pope           7 points   (1-1)   2 MATCHES
Rob Van Dam   7 points   (1-1)   2 MATCHES
Daniels           5 points   (1-1)   2 MATCHES
Bully Ray      0 points   (0-2)   2 MATCHES
Robbie E          0 points   (0-3)   3 MATCHES
AJ Styles       0 points   (0-1)   1 MATCH

What Worked

1 of 3

Bully Ray/Jospeh Park Segment - Bully Ray is gold on the microphone and Park seems to be getting more comfortable speaking every week. Bully Ray got massive heat from the crowd and I wouldn't be surprised if he is trending worldwide by the end of the show. The restraining order is an old trick but a good one, and it was perfect for the situation.

Hulk Hogan/Austin Aries -These two could be talking about baseball and I would be riveted because they are that good together.

Crimson vs. Devon - This match was borderline, but the huge reaction that Devon has been getting really helped this match get over the line. Outside of one bizarre botch, the match itself was throwaway and neither wrestler has any real personality. Crimson was patchy, but he looked good for the most part.

Chris Sabin/Bobby Roode Segment - I have never really equated Sabin with good mic work (mainly because Shelley did all the talking in the MCMG,) but he did a nice job of selling the emotion and the look of disgust when Roode walked in. Roode was at his best and he did a fantastic job of picking at Sabin and rubbing salt into the wound. Bonus points for the shot at Jesse Sorenson.

Flip Casanova vs. Dakota Darsow - Nice match from both guys, but Darsow seems like more of a brawler (A weaker form of Robbie E) and he doesn't have the technical base to keep up with guys like flip and that was really obvious here.

Tessmacher & Tara vs. Gail Kim & Madison Rayne - It was a decent match, but Tessmacher looked really weak during the whole thing. She got dominated by both Gail and Madison and the whole thing was handed to her on a platter by Tara.

AJ/Daniels/Kaz Segment - Everyone involved did a great job on the microphone, but the segment didn't answer anything. I really don't see this feud ending at Destination X.

Kenny King vs Lars Only - This match was over the moment Lars came out—there was no chance he would win. Kenny has main event potential written all over his face and I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one to cash in the main event chance next year. Lars did look good except for the big botch, but King is so talented.

Jeff Hardy vs. James Storm - A great main event that the crowd was super into. Giving Hardy the victory is a smart move as Storm had already built up a rather huge lead and Hardy had no points

Hulk Hogan/Bobby Roode/Austin Aries Segment - Do I really need to say why this worked? Three of the best mic workers and personalities in wrestling doing what comes naturally. Great way to end the show.

What Didn't

2 of 3

Madison Rayne/Earl Hebner - I get the Madison flirts with Earl in order to get what she wants, but genuinely having a thing for him is another situation entirely. I see no reason for this unless she is really screwing with Earl, then I may change my opinion.

Miss Tessmacher - The Knockouts champion looked (if I'm being blunt) pathetic during her match. After getting beat down by Madison Rayne (the least important person in the match,) she proceeds to get killed by Gail Kim,and she manages to tag in Tara who proceeds to do all her work for her! Terrible way to display your champion.